Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson and Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. Photo Credit: Gemini Keez, Keezcam

Brooklyn Nets forward, Rondae Hollis Jefferson is having an efficient third-year in Brooklyn. The Chester, PA native is averaging 14.3 points per game this season and has pretty much increased his numbers in every statistical category this season.

He’s doing well!

Off the court, he’s shining too!

Realistically, Hollis-Jefferson has to be one of the most stylish Nets players that I’ve ever met.

As a matter of fact, I’d add him to a list of stylish Nets that includes his current Nets teammate, D’Angelo Russell, as well as former Nets, Kendall Gill, Sam Cassell, Michael Cage, the late Chocolate Thunder; Darryl Dawkins and Stephon Marbury.

“Man I love fashion so much,” Rondae Hollis-Jefferson told me over the weekend.

“I really see it everywhere, so my inspiration comes from everywhere. The biggest thing for me when it comes to fashion is just being myself. That’s kind of how it all started with the red pants on draft night. Red’s my favorite color and I’m just one of those guys that’s not super serious you know?”

Going with that fashion theme, I checked in with Alex Cuesta and his Sports Opinions Podcast and discussed Rondae’s fashion style, the Nets’ youth movement, as well as the New York Knicks.

Check it out:

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Brooklyn Nets guard D’Angelo Russell, NBA legend/Fox Sports analyst Jim Jackson and sports and entertainment journalist Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson. Photo Credit: Eric Salvary/Get Fit Radio TV

The Brooklyn Nets could use D’Angelo Russell. Russell last played November 11, missing the team’s last 26 games due to a knee injury.

Brooklyn will be without the point guard this evening against the San Antonio Spurs. 

The Nets’ leading scorer averaged 20.9 points over his 12 games along with 5.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds..

During his road to recovery, Russell has practiced with Nets’ G-League team, the Long Island Nets.  with his next opportunity to be activated, Friday night against the Miami Heat.

“D’Angelo is progressing really well,” Brooklyn Nets GM Sean Marks said earlier this week.

“He’s worked hard and he’s been diligent with his rehab. I would like to think it’s sooner rather than later. I’d never want to say it’s tomorrow or it’s three days or it’s five days or whatever it may be, but at the same time he’s anxious about getting out there and I know his teammates want to get him out there as well. So if things go well, I think we’ll see him in the short-term future here.”

Seeing Russell on the Nets’ bench has to be encouraging. He even received a technical foul while sitting on the bench, Monday at the Nets’ Martin Luther King Day home game against cross town rivals New York Knicks.

Since Russell’s injury the Nets have added nice pieces to the team like Nik Stauskas and Jahlil Okafor.

The Nets have gone 11-20 since Russell went down. They’ll do better with a Russell return. Taking a cursory look at sportsbook site, SportsBetting.ag”  they seem to think so too! With a healthy nucleus of Caris LeVert, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Spencer Dinwiddie and Allen Crabbe the Nets are pretty exciting to watch and could do damage in the years to come.

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Since the start of the NBA season, folks have marveled at the play of the Kyrie Irving-led Boston Celtics and the emergence of the rising Philadelphia 76ers, led by Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

Also along the Northeast Corridor, the New York Knicks have played inspired basketball with their star Kristaps Porzingis. Also in New York, the Brooklyn Nets have accrued a promising roster with DeAngelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie, Allen Crabbe Jahlil Okafor and Caris LeVert. The consistent play of Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has been inspiring to watch.

At 30-10, the Celtics are ahead of the pack in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.

Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving. Photo Credit: SI.com

Sitting at seeds nine through eleven in the East, the Nets, Knicks and Sixers would not make it into the playoffs. It’s realistic to believe that the Knicks and Sixers could make the cut, when it is all said and done.

But could the Nets join the other three?

Well, it would take a Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers, Washington Wizards and Miami Heat skid to do so.

I discuss that notion on Chicago’s D & Davis Show. Press play above to listen. 

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The post Scoop B: At seasons end, could the Celtics, 76ers, Nets & Knicks all make the NBA Playoffs? appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Nets sideline reporters Ian Eagle and Sarah Kustok before a 2016 game at at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. (Nathaniel S. Butler / NBAE/Getty Images)

Check out YES Network’s Sarah Kustok discussing the difference between New York and Chicago pizza with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on Scoop B Radio. Press play below to listen! 

Sarah Kustok is the ma’am.

This season, YES Network moved her from sideline report on its Brooklyn Nets broadcasts to color commentating analyst alongside play-by-play analyst, Ian Eagle.

Kustok, a Chicago-land native was a DePaul captain and assistant coach and made her rounds with CSN Chicago, NBC-5 and FOX-32 before leaving for YES Network five years ago.

She’s flourished!

Spending most of her life in Chicago until leaving for the Big Apple, she’s more than qualified to answer the following: New York pizza or Chicago pizza? “I will say this, I love pizza I can eat it every day,” Sarah Kustok told me on Scoop B Radio.

“So I don’t think that I have ever had a slice of pizza that I disliked. So I love New York pizza and I appreciate it and enjoy it but in my mind there is no question that it’s Chicago pizza. I love deep dish Chicago Pizza, but in my mind there’s a time and a place for it. You’re not going to be eating deep dish all the time. So I think that it’s either thin crust Chicago pizza or regular Chicago pizza.”

So the verdict Ms. Kustok? “Chicago all the way,” she conceded.

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Karen Civil hosts 3rd annual Karen Civil Day. Photo Credit: Angie Vasquez

Check out Karen Civil and Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on episode 10 of Scoop B Radio

If you paid attention to Twitter and Instagram, you may have noticed a minor snafu that had folks talking during the first half of the Brooklyn Nets’ contest against the Washington Wizards at Barclays Center last night.

Apparently, Barclays Center staff thought that Power 105 The Breakfast Club’s Angela Yee was social media influencer Karen Civil. 

Barclays Center got Angela Yee and Karen Civil confused last night at Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards game. Photo Credit: Scoop B Radio

Civil, is a rising cultural influencer who turned her fascination with the internet into a lucrative career. Her website, LiveCivil.com is a hub that aggregates content in news, music releases and celebrity interviews.

During a timeout, Brooklyn Nets public address announcer, Olivier Sedra invited the crowd to welcome, a courtside seated, Civil who was seated next to rapper, Dave East.

Except, WELL, Karen, wasn’t there. “I missed my flight,” Karen Civil told me last night.  

“So I’m coming from LA. So I definitely, I told myself I’m going to sleep for 15 more minutes. It turned into three hours.”

Joked Civil: “So Angela is my doppelganger,” she said.

“It worked. She might fill in for me a little more. Nobody could really tell the difference.”

Wait cause Kai face is priceless ?? @DaveEast pic.twitter.com/z85WUoq28U

— Melanin Mamí ? (@BiigNBeautiFULL) December 13, 2017

we just gon ignore the fact that they called Angela yee Karen civil ? ?? https://t.co/3qZzjmhYsd

— tay ? (@richgirltay) December 13, 2017

ok 1 why they called angela yee karen civil ?? & 2 why she at the game with him? ? pic.twitter.com/CqN1tXIXJg

— allure. (@RIDE0RDIETY) December 13, 2017

 

Civil would eventually arrive to Barclays Center and the arena’s game time staff corrected the slight error by rolling out an evergreen video tribute of Yee, a Brooklyn native and acknowledging her as the host of Power 105’s The Breakfast Club.

Salute to @karencivil for having her 3rd Annual #KarenCivilDay at the Barclays Center tonight in BK!!!!!

A post shared by Charlamagne Thagod (@cthagod) on Dec 12, 2017 at 7:18pm PST

The Brooklyn, NY-born and Elizabeth, NJ raised Civil would later be acknowledged, as well.

When you late for your game and @angelayee your doppelgänger. #karencivilday pic.twitter.com/VfJnXWtl0E

— Karen Civil (@KarenCivil) December 13, 2017

I’ll take those @KarenCivil checks any day! https://t.co/Qws6NjsvSZ

— Angela Yee (@angelayee) December 13, 2017

Oh and by the way, it was her day: Karen Civil Day, that is. An annual event, last night marked its third annual celebration at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

Along with Angela Yee, Civil sat courtside with her best best friend, Ming Lee, Roc Nation’s Lenny S, rappers Dave East and Cassanova, singer/actor Mack Wilds and Lip Service Podcast host Lore’l. 

Karen Civil’s Live Civil Foundation has been active in Haiti. Most recently, in 2014, her foundation, according to Forbes’ Sidnee Michelle, began the planning and production of the Live Civil playground in Pétionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince Haiti in 2014. The Live Civil Playground, with the help of funding from notables like Meek Mill, Nipsey Hussle, Mack Maine and DJ Steph Floss will afford approximately 300 kids to learn and help teach children strategy building and problem-solving.

A special thank you to our #LiveCivil High Fivers! ?? #KarenCivilDay pic.twitter.com/Tq6JztVa6H

— Karen Civil (@KarenCivil) December 13, 2017

“It’s just about giving back and making sure that I create a platform and a space for people to learn, grow, educate themselves and their business and entrepreneurial endeavors,” she said.

Of Haitian descent herself, Civil’s point of entry in mainstream began as an intern with Funkmaster Flex. She’s also been responsible for connecting the dots on a marketing level with Beats by Dre headphones during their early stages with Monster headphones by marketing artists and athletes.

Last year, Civil was the director of cool during the Presidential election for Democratic hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Clinton, of course lost the election to Republican candidate Donald J. Trump.

A year later, Civil is still trucking. She’s added producing as a feather in her cap. The media artige recently produced a commercial with retired Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and rapper Teyana Taylor.

According to Civil, she has two more commercials coming with one more forthcoming on Christmas.

While she’s mum on the commercial and its contents, Civil hinted at a certain basketball marathon on Christmas day on ABC, TNT and ESPN. “It’s great because it’s about integration,” she said.

The Nets beat the Washington Wizards, 103-98. Brooklyn’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Caris LeVert each scored 16 points.

After the game, Civil stuck  around for a meet and greet that was curated by Ashley Taylor and her Cleveland-based Elmnt 13 branding company. Civil signed copies of her book, Be You & Live Civil: Tools for Unlocking Your Potential & Living Your Purpose

Sold out! Thanks to everyone who came out tonight to @barclayscenter! #karencivilday pic.twitter.com/DLyTqp74c4

— Karen Civil (@KarenCivil) December 13, 2017

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Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks drives to the hoop in the first half against Trevor Booker of the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Sunday, March 12, 2017. Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac

Tonight the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks meet tonight at Madison Garden.The Nets are coming off of a 112-107 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Knicks are searching for their first win of the season.

I discussed the ‘Battle of the Boroughs’ matchup with 33rd & 7th podcast host, Anthony Donahue.

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The post Scoop B: New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets at MSG Preview With Anthony Donahue & 33rd & 7th appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Brook Lopez and DeMarcus Cousins. Photo Credit: Sideline Today

Reggie Evans checked in with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson on the Scoop B Radio Podcast and talked about EVERYTHING! Press Play below to Listen! 

Reggie Evans has the duality of being both likable and honest. A thirteen year NBA veteran, Evans spent 13 seasons in the league with seven different teams and homeboy was a rebounding behemoth.

He’s also one of the most quotable. Earlier in his career when Evans was a member of the Seattle Sonics and missed taking a urine test, he laughed off the suspicion of any foul play by telling reporters, “I’m just cleaner than clean. I’m Cleaner than Pine’-Sol.”

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Reggie Evans #30 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Sacramento Kings at Barclays Center on January 5, 2013 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.The Nets defeated the Kings 113-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Where they do that at Reggie? Where on Earth did you get such a phrase?

“In the neighborhood,” Reggie Evans told me last week on the Scoop B Radio podcast.

“Man we got all kind of little phrases we be saying. You know, you got my mom who jokes a lot and clowns a lot. One thing about us we are some down south people, we’re some country people. So when you really get down into the roots of how deep the country goes and growing up on the dirt roads.”

Added Evans:

“You’ll be having so many uncles and cousins that’ll be talking. They say the most slickest things that you’ll be crying and laughing. You’re hearing your grand daddy saying so much stuff that it comes natural. You just have to be around us and we say some off the wall stuff and it gets to be so funny but it is also catchy.”

A 6’8 power forward forward, Evans went undrafted in 2002. The Pensacola, Florida native attended Coffeyville Community College in Kansas before transferring to the University of Iowa where he led the nation in free throws attempted, free throws made and double-doubles. Evans also led the Big Ten Conference in rebounding in 2001 and 2002 and was named Big Ten Tournament MVP in 2001, second-team All-Big Ten in 2002, and Honorable Mention All-American in 2001.

I first covered Reggie Evans during the 2012-13 season, while I was a staff writer for BrooklynFans.com.

That season was special because it was the Brooklyn Nets’ inaugural season in Brooklyn at Barclays Center. Evans stood out to me because he was passionate about defense and grabbing rebound and he was quick too! He also seemed to influence Brook Lopez.  “To be honest with you when I got to Brooklyn; you can even ask Brook this, but I told him: ‘you are going to make the All Star [team]this year,’” he said.

Lopez would be named an NBA All Star during the 2012-13 season. He also participated in the Shooting Stars Challenge. “I told him: ‘your toughest opponent is going to be me in practice,’” said Evans. “Everything worked out in his favor,” said Evans. “Brook is solid. Brook to me he isn’t soft.”

Brook Lopez lacing up his sneakers. Photo Credit: NBA.com

Lopez was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason. He joins a young roster that includes 2017 top draft pick Lonzo Ball, Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram and Larry Nance Jr.

Evans was traded to the Sacramento Kings during the 2014-15 NBA season. While there, he backed up all star forward, DeMarcus Cousins.

Cousins’ game is special.

A 6’10 forward, Cousins can create his own shot, push the ball on the fast break, out-rebound centers and dish the no-look pass better than your favorite point guard.  

Cousins, now a member of the New Orleans Pelicans, has played well the first two games of the 2017-18 season.

While on Scoop B Radio, Evans weighed in on the difference between Lopez and Cousins in practice. “Brook was tougher,” said Evans. “You know what is so crazy? Brook was tougher, but you’re talking about practice.”

Not a game, not a game! Somebody get Allen Iverson on line one.

MIAMI, FL – MARCH 15: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball against the Miami Heat on March 15, 2017 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

“DeMarcus, when those lights came on, that popcorn came on,” said Evans. “You know you would have gotten this 30 something and 15 rebounds guaranteed with DeMarcus. You can stop Demarcus in practices and stuff, but in game time [situations] you aren’t stopping him. I have to pick Brook as the tougher guard in practice than in game time. You aren’t going to stop Demarcus period.”

Aside from giving expert analysis of the game, Evans is still attached to the game. He played in Ice Cube’s Big 3 league over the summer and he says he’s going to play in it next year, also. Community is also important to him. He still resides in his hometown, Pensacola, Florida and he says he’s interested in real estate and mentoring youth. A father himself, his kids are playing sports, so he decided to leave his imprint through sports. “I had to start a whole program,” he said.  

“To put a lot of structure and discipline in the game and bring  a lot of love in for the game. You know it is a football state so I got all that rolling.”

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The post Reggie Evans Says Brook Lopez Was ‘Tougher’ Than DeMarcus Cousins In Practice appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.